Mass Extinction and Geologic Time Review

A comet or asteroid impact on the earth is a frequently suggested cause for many of the mass extinctions. For which of the major mass extinctions does the most evidence exist that this was the main trigger for the event?

• End Permian

• Cretaceous (KT Event)

• Late Devonian

• Triassic

The environmental changes at the very end of the Devonian period significantly impacted shallow warm waters. Which community of species living at the time would have been most impacted?

• small mammals

• freshwater tetrapods

• terrestrial plants

• fish and corals

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS2-6

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

There have been _____ mass extinction events in Earth's history.

• 3

• 4

• 5

• 2

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

At the end of the Mesozoic Era (Age of the Reptiles) there was a mass extinction.  Which of the following is attributed as being the main cause?

• asteroid or comet impact

• major volcanic eruption

• earthquakes

• climatic changes

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

What conclusion can you make about the ancient environment where this fossil was found?

• It was a desert.

• It was a forest.

• it was a marine environment.

• It was the arctic tundra.

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

The time it takes for 50% of the isotope or atom to be reduced by half is ________ _________.

• the daughter product

• geologic time

• the half-life

• the half-time

Tags

NGSS.HS-PS1-8

According to most scientists, what is the ultimate cause of most mass extinctions?

• overhunting

• evolution of new species to replace old ones

• major change in environment or climate

• asteroid impact

Tags

NGSS.HS-LS4-5

Which layer of rock is the oldest?

• A

• B

• C

• D

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

Which rock layer in the diagram seems to be the oldest?

• F

• E

• B

• A

Tags

NGSS.HS-ESS1-5

How do scientists determine when a new sequence in time begins or ends?

• The boundaries show when nothing of significance occurs.

• They are divided up when there's an emergence of a new species or mass extinction.

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4